Mandai Boardwalk with kids: a free 3.3km walk by the reservoir

You can walk the Mandai Boardwalk with kids for free. Mandai's boardwalk page, read 7 Nov 2026, lists it as 3.3km long and open daily 7am to 7pm, with last entry at 6pm. Its FAQ calls the path wheelchair accessible, with wide, smooth pathways throughout. Strollers aren't on its banned list, but kids' scooters and tricycles are.

How to walk the Mandai Boardwalk with kids, step by step

1. Give yourself 70 to 85 minutes for the full 3.3km, which is how long Mandai's FAQ says a leisurely walk takes. Last entry is at 6pm.
2. Leave scooters and tricycles at home, because Mandai's FAQ bans wheeled devices on the boardwalk and names both. Mandai doesn't allow pets on it either.
3. Take the M2 bus from Khatib MRT Exit A, or drive and park at the EAST Carpark. Mandai's getting-there page lists the M2 fare as S$2.50 from age 7 and free for children under 7. Buses leave every 15 minutes from 8:30am, and Mandai's page says cash isn't accepted, so bring a contactless card or phone.
4. Use a toilet before you set off. Mandai's FAQ says washroom facilities vary depending on where you begin your walk.
5. Choose your entrance: Kingfisher's Cave is reached through Mandai Wildlife EAST, and Tree Frog's Hangout is on the left side of River Wonders' entrance.
6. Pack snacks in a closed bag that stays out of sight. Mandai says wild macaques associate baby prams and plastic bags with food. You may eat your own food on the boardwalk, but never feed the animals.
7. Scan the QR code at either entrance for Mandai's self-guided digital trail, or use our spotting list below.
8. Turn back whenever your child has had enough. Mandai lists only two entrances, so a short walk means going back the way you came.
9. Save +65 6100 0694 in your phone before you go in. It's the number Mandai's FAQ gives for emergencies along the boardwalk.

What you pass on the boardwalk

Mandai's opening announcement describes five thematic stations and a lookout point along the route. Its boardwalk page names the two entrances and four of the stops. Below, the entrances come first, then the stops in alphabetical order.

Mandai's map of Mandai Wildlife EAST (PDF) has symbols for nursing rooms, toilets, family rooms and water dispensers, so download it to find the ones nearest your entrance. Our nursing rooms guide covers feeding on a day out.

Wildlife your child can look for

Mandai's boardwalk page lists the native animals you may chance upon, and they make a good spotting game for a child who needs a reason to keep walking.

• A Malayan water monitor, which Mandai calls the second-largest lizard species after the Komodo dragon.
• A Sunda colugo gliding between trees on its kite-shaped skin.
• A white-throated kingfisher. Mandai says these grow up to 28cm long.
• A green-crested lizard, which Mandai says can turn dark brown or grey when threatened.
• Smooth-coated otters, which Mandai asks you to watch from a respectful distance.
• Rothschild's giraffes inside Singapore Zoo, which Mandai's opening announcement says you can glimpse from the boardwalk.
• Straw-headed bulbuls and flocks of long-tailed parakeets, named in the same announcement.

Families for Life also lists the boardwalk on its activity pages. It describes it as a freely accessible public space, designed for all ages and abilities.

Macaques and your snack bag

Mandai's wildlife advisory for the boardwalk names long-tailed macaques and smooth-coated otters. It says wild macaques associate baby prams and plastic bags with food. Talk your child through these rules before you start:

• Keep food out of sight, in a closed bag instead of a plastic one hanging off the handle.
• Stay calm and quiet. Mandai asks visitors to avoid sudden movements, loud noises and flash photography.
• Don't touch, chase or corner an animal, and walk away slowly if one comes near.
• Skip selfies with macaques, and never feed any wildlife, since Mandai says feeding harms them.

Heat and storms

NEA's heat stress advisory lists children and infants among the people who should take more care. When heat stress is moderate, it advises regular breaks indoors or under shade, more fluids, and an umbrella or a hat. Its sheet points to the myENV app for heat stress levels, so check it before you set out.

Mandai's FAQ suggests comfortable footwear, drinking water, and an umbrella or raincoat in case of rain. HealthHub advises sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, put on 20 to 30 minutes before going into the sun, and a hat. For a baby, our baby skincare guide covers sun safety.

The Meteorological Service Singapore says Singapore averages 167 thunderstorm days a year, and that lightning can strike some distance away from a thunderstorm, even without rain. If you hear thunder, head back to a building at the nearest entrance. MSS advises against sheltering under tall trees or small structures. It says to wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back outdoors.

Pack a repellent too. Our mosquito repellent guide for kids covers which ones suit children, and our haze guide explains NEA's PSI bands for a hazy day. The diaper bag checklist covers the rest of the bag.

Pair it with a Mandai park

The boardwalk sits outside the ticketed wildlife parks. Mandai's Mandai Wildlife EAST page lists hours for the zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari, and our park guides cover tickets and ages. In alphabetical order:

• Bird Paradise is at Mandai Wildlife WEST. Mandai's EAST map puts it about 15 minutes' walk away on the Walk and Cycle Path, or a ride on the M1 or M2. See our Bird Paradise family guide.
• Night Safari opens daily from 6:30pm to 12:00am, so it suits a family that stays on after the boardwalk closes. See our Night Safari family guide.
• Rainforest Wild Adventure EAST is at Mandai Wildlife EAST, 80 Mandai Lake Road, which is the same side as the boardwalk. See our Rainforest Wild family guide.
• River Wonders opens daily 10am to 7pm, and Tree Frog's Hangout is on the left of its entrance. See our River Wonders family guide.
• Singapore Zoo opens daily 8:30am to 6pm, and the boardwalk runs along its edge. See our Singapore Zoo family guide.

Mandai Wildlife EAST is free to visit too. It has Dining Alley and Food Village for a meal, and a Giant Climbing Wall playground right outside Toy Doctor. For other gentle walks, see our easy nature trails guide, and for more free days out, our free things to do with kids guide.

When to get help

• Any emergency on the boardwalk: call Mandai on +65 6100 0694, the number its FAQ gives for immediate help. For a life-threatening emergency, call 995. SCDF lists seizures, breathlessness, loss of consciousness and excessive bleeding as examples.
• Heat: if your child turns drowsy, confused or disoriented, KKH lists these among the signs for its Children's Emergency. Cool them in the shade with water on the arms and legs, as NEA suggests, and call 995 if they lose consciousness.
• A fall or a near drowning: KKH lists a fall from a height, head injury, deep cuts and suspected broken bones as emergencies, along with near drowning. Call 995.
• Trouble breathing after a sting or a new food: KKH lists difficulty in breathing as an emergency, along with wheezing and noisy breathing. Call 995.
• A lost child: call Mandai on +65 6100 0694, and the police on 999, which the Singapore Police Force lists for immediate police assistance.
• Anything minor: KKH suggests your family doctor or a polyclinic doctor for non-emergency conditions. Our first aid kit checklist covers what to carry.

Frequently asked questions

Is the boardwalk at Mandai stroller friendly?

Mandai's FAQ calls the boardwalk wheelchair accessible, with wide, smooth pathways throughout. Strollers aren't on its banned list, which names tricycles and scooters among the wheeled devices it bars. Keep food out of sight, since Mandai says macaques link prams with food.

What are the Mandai Boardwalk opening hours?

Mandai lists the boardwalk as open daily 7am to 7pm, with last entry at 6pm, when we read it on 7 Nov 2026. Its opening announcement says it closes between dusk and dawn for nocturnal animals and visitor safety.

Is the boardwalk at Mandai free for kids?

Yes. Mandai's FAQ says the boardwalk, Mandai Wildlife EAST and Mandai Wildlife WEST are all free to visit. You pay only to get there, such as the M2 fare of S$2.50 from age 7, or EAST Carpark charges of S$3 for the first hour.

Is the boardwalk part of the Mandai Wildlife WEST area?

No. Mandai's getting-there page lists the boardwalk at Mandai Wildlife EAST, 80 Mandai Lake Road, with Singapore Zoo and River Wonders. Mandai Wildlife WEST, at 20 Mandai Lake Road, is the Bird Paradise side, and Mandai's EAST map puts the walk between them at about 15 minutes.

How long does the Mandai Boardwalk take with kids?

Mandai's FAQ says a leisurely walk of the full 3.3km takes around 70 to 85 minutes. With small kids, plan stops at the rest stations, or walk in a little way and turn back when they tire.

Can my child bring a scooter on the Mandai Boardwalk?

No. Mandai's FAQ bans cycling and skating on the boardwalk, and its list of wheeled devices names scooters and tricycles. Leave them in the car, or lock bikes at the bicycle parking zone at Mandai Wildlife EAST.